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Another 21 per cent said they were in favour of an ‘experimental trial’ which would see drugs decriminalised in small areas of Britain to see the effect.

The poll was commissioned by the campaign group Transform, which backs softening the law on drugs and government ‘regulation’ of illegal substances.

Transform suggested the results showed the majority of Britons support a softer stance on cannabis.

Danny Kushlick, head of external
affairs at Transform said: ‘These results show just how far ahead of
politicians the public are.

David Cameron has rejected calls by the Home Affairs Select Committee to consider decriminalising drugs

‘While Labour and Conservative
politicians shy away from the debate on drugs, around half of their
supporters want to see legal regulation of cannabis production and
supply or decriminalisation of cannabis possession.

‘And a significant majority want a
comprehensive review of our approach to drugs - including consideration
of legal regulation.’

Some 53 per cent supported one of four different systems for regulating the drug, ranging from a free-for-all to the decriminalisation of possession offences.

The survey found 14 per cent backed ‘much heavier penalties’ for cannabis offences.

It showed two-thirds supported a large-scale review of drugs laws.

The poll follows a series of reports calling for the downgrading of drugs laws in recent months.

A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Drugs Reform called for even Class A drugs such as heroin and ecstasy to be decriminalised.

And the Home Affairs Select Committee called for a Royal Commission to consider decriminalising drugs.

David Cameron rejected the calls, staying that the Government’s approach is working.

The poll, carried out by Ipsos MORI, involved face-to-face interviews with 946 adults between January 25 and February 5.